Career and Education Opportunities for Skin Care Specialists in Madison, Wisconsin

Many educational and employment opportunities exist for skin care specialists in the Madison, Wisconsin area. About 510 people are currently employed as skin care specialists in Wisconsin. By 2016, this is expected to grow 31% to about 660 people employed. This is not quite as good as the national trend for skin care specialists, which sees this job pool growing by about 37.9% over the next eight years. In general, skin care specialists provide skin care treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance.

Skin care specialists earn about $13 hourly or $28,200 annually on average in Wisconsin and about $13 hourly or $28,730 annually on average nationally. Earnings for skin care specialists are better than earnings in the general category of Personal Care in Wisconsin and better than general Personal Care category earnings nationally.

There are two schools within twenty-five miles of Madison where you can study to be a skin care specialist, among thirteen schools of higher education total in the Madison area. Skin care specialists usually hold a post-secondary certificate, so it will take a short time to learn to be a skin care specialist if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Skin Care Specialist

Skin Care Specialist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

Skin care specialists sterilize equipment and clean work areas. They also cleanse patrons' skin with water or lotions. Equally important, skin care specialists have to decide on and apply cosmetic products such as creams and tonics. They are often called upon to demonstrate how to wash and care for skin properly and recommend skin-care regimens. They are expected to treat the facial skin to preserve and improve its appearance, using specialized techniques and products. Finally, skin care specialists furnish facial and body massages.

Every day, skin care specialists are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they listen to and understand others in meetings.

It is important for skin care specialists to apply chemical peels to decrease fine lines and age spots. They are often called upon to remove body and facial hair by applying wax. They also advise patrons about colors and types of makeup and instruct them in makeup application techniques. They are sometimes expected to sell makeup to patrons. Somewhat less frequently, skin care specialists are also expected to demonstrate how to wash and care for skin properly and recommend skin-care regimens.

They also have to be able to perform simple extractions to remove blackheads and keep records of client needs and preferences and the services provided. And finally, they sometimes have to refer patrons to medical personnel for treatment of serious skin problems.

Like many other jobs, skin care specialists must be reliable and have exceptional integrity.

Makeup Artist. Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.

Manicurist. Clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. May polish or decorate nails.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Skin Care Specialist Training

Empire Beauty School-Madison - Madison, WI

Empire Beauty School-Madison, 6414 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53717-1111. Empire Beauty School-Madison is a small school located in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a private for-profit school with primarily 2-year programs and has 175 students. Empire Beauty School-Madison has 2 areas of study related to Skin Care Specialist. They are:

Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, two to four year which graduated 53 students in 2008.

Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist, less than one year which graduated 41 students in 2008.

Regency Beauty Institute-Madison - Madison, WI

Regency Beauty Institute-Madison, 2358 East Springs Drive, Madison, WI 53704. Regency Beauty Institute-Madison is a small school located in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs. It has 79 students and an admission rate of 75%. Regency Beauty Institute-Madison has a one to two year program in Cosmetology/Cosmetologist which graduated twenty-eight students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin photo by Dori

Madison is situated in Dane County, Wisconsin. It has a population of over 231,916, which has grown by 11.5% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Madison, 86, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Madison are valued at $243,800 on average, which is near the state average. In 2008, one hundred forty-eight new homes were constructed in Madison, down from three hundred seventy-four the previous year.

The top three industries for women in Madison are educational services, health care, and finance and insurance. For men, it is educational services, professional, scientific, and technical services, and accommodation and food services. The average travel time to work is about 18 minutes. More than 48.2% of Madison residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 20.9%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Madison is 5.2%, which is less than Wisconsin's average of 7.7%.

The percentage of Madison residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 52.5%, is more than the national average but less than the state average. Gates of Heaven Synagogue, Abundant Life Church and Grace Episcopal Church are some of the churches located in Madison. The most common religious groups are the Catholic Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church.

Madison is home to the Allen Centennial Gardens and the Annie C Stewart Memorial Fountain as well as Bordner Park and Brigham Park. Shopping centers in the area include Brookwood Village Shopping Center, Whitney Square Shopping Center and Walnut Grove Shopping Center. Visitors to Madison can choose from Comfort Inn Madison, Howard Johnson-Plaza Hotel and Country Inn Sts Madison for temporary stays in the area.